Firehouse, Engine Company 31, fire station in Manhattan, New York
Firehouse Engine Company 31 is a building on Lafayette Street in Manhattan designed to resemble a French castle rather than a typical fire station. It features steep slate roofs, tall dormer windows, and decorative stonework that distinguishes it sharply from the modern buildings surrounding it.
The building was constructed in 1896 and designed by Napoleon LeBrun & Sons, who drew inspiration from chateaux in France's Loire Valley. After serving as a fire station for over 75 years, it was designated a New York City Landmark in 1966 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
The building served as a home for firefighters who protected the community for decades. Its French-inspired towers and stonework remind visitors how European architectural styles influenced the city's development.
The building is located on Lafayette Street between Walker and White Street and is easily accessible on foot, situated near other historic sites. The exterior can be admired from the street, and the stone detailing showcases the craftsmanship of earlier times.
The building was constructed on land that once held Collect Pond, a popular spot for picnicking and ice skating before it became polluted and was filled in. The wooden pilings driven deep to stabilize the foundation later rotted, causing the building to settle unevenly over time.
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